Samantha Cameron announces new Patron for Tickets for Troops

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Samantha Cameron has announced that Christina Schmid, widow of bomb disposal expert Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, will join her as a Patron of Tickets for Troops.

In her first charitable event at Number 10, Mrs Cameron hosted a special reception for serving military who have been injured in Afghanistan and have received free tickets through the Tickets For Troops charity.

Welcoming Mrs Schmid as Patron, Mrs Cameron said:

I am thrilled that the first event I am hosting here at Downing Street is for a charity that is so close to my heart and I am delighted to welcome Christina as a new Patron for Tickets for Troops.

She has shown remarkable strength and has deservedly earned great respect from the nation for the way she has campaigned to support those serving our country. I’m very happy to be welcoming her to the Tickets for Troops team.

The scheme, launched last year, entitles all serving members of the Armed Forces and those discharged through medical injury since 2001 to register for free tickets to major sporting events.

Other guests at the reception included HRH The Duke of York, television presenter Kate Silverton, who will compeer the charity’s Summer Party at the Royal Opera House, Army Chief of Staff, General Sir David Richards and former rugby league and rugby union player, Jonathan Davies.